94 points

2018 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Matt Walls, Decanter, November 2023

“Lovely nose, like a freshly cut mango, with subtle tobacco and cigar notes behind. Full bodied, rich and powerful, displaying a touch of oatmeal and noticeable oak spice inlaid in the long finish. Already complex and showing development, this is deliciously ripe and approachable. Unlikely to be the longest-living Chante-Alouette, but it's enjoyably succulent and fleshy.”

94 points

2019 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Matt Walls, Decanter, November 2023

“Open and pronounced, showing rich, ripe mango and honeysuckle. Very full bodied, with a lovely, smooth, silky and juicy mouthfeel. The acidity is tangy and present, and helps to balance the quite potent alcohol, which adds further weight and intensity. Remarkable concentration and depth, very powerful. Richer than a classic year, with great intensity.”

95 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Chante-Alouette Blanc

Matt Walls, Decanter, November 2023

“Appealingly ripe, primarily apricot fruit with mango notes. Full bodied but not fat, with good weight, presence, mango-like acidity and deft oak work helping to underpin the rich fruit. Tangy, spicy finish of impressive length, ending with tobacco and cinnamon. An authentic white Hermitage with freshness and grandeur but also drinkability. A very good, classic vintage of this cuvée.”

96 points

2019 M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

James Suckling, James Suckling, December 2023

“Aromas of black currants, fresh green bell peppers and violets followed by intense graphite and pencil shaving notes with tobacco leaves, cloves, cedar and underlying gravel minerality Wonderfully structured full-bodied wine with firm yet polished tannins with a bright acid backbone. Very precisely framed. Sound and energetic yet it has a lovely finesse in the mid-palate and finish. A blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Aged for 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels. Give this more time to come around. Try after 2028.”

93 points

2020 Colomé Estate Malbec

Christy Canterbury, New Wine Review, December 2023

“This looks opaque at the core, but it also has the tiniest magenta rim at the sides of the glass. Okay. Wow. Now that I have this in my mouth, this is super different. It is very savory, even salty on the attack and through the finish. There’s some good underlying fruit–boysenberries and black currants, but overall, this doesn’t taste fruit-driven. This savory taste makes me think it’s a perfect pairing for dry-aged steak (no, no, no, not wet-aged.) Whatever you pair with it, the tannins here are class act and elegant and the acidity wedges in subtly. So. Darn. Good.”

93 points

2020 Colomé El Arenal Malbec

Christy Canterbury, New Wine Review, December 2023

“Raven black at the core then almost neon magenta at the rim, this wine is equally wow-ing on the nose with its exuberantly ripe boysenberries and cassis inflected with crushed graphite and drying flowers. The fruit purity is head-turning. The intense flavors are concentrated but not heavy. In fact, there’s only the lightest touch of glycerol on this full-bodied wine. This is an impressive feat with the high–though well-integrated–alcohol. The solid, minerally finish pops with lifting acidity. This is seamless and already drinking very well. Post-tasting: This is the second vintage of this wine, which was previously blended into the Estate Malbec bottling.”

93 points

2020 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“A complex red, with a core of cherry and strawberry fruit framed by almond, loamy earth and iron notes. Silky yet solidly built, with excellent balance and a long, fruit- and mineral-tinged aftertaste. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Best from 2025 through 2033. 3,900 cases imported.”

94 points

2019 Isole e Olena Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“A tightly wound style, exhibiting blackberry, black currant, cedar, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. Lively, with dense yet finely wrought tannins and a long, concentrated finish. Powerful, this remains within bounds. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2040. 90 cases imported.”

95 points

2010 Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“This dessert-style white delivers honey, caramel, clove, horehound and butterscotch aromas and flavors. Lush and toasty, with vivid acidity and an aftertaste of roasted walnut. Features fine complexity and length. Trebbiano and Malvasia. Drink now through 2038. 60 cases imported.”

91 points

2021 Donnafugata Sherazade

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“The nose starts with zingy, fruity notes of hibiscus, passion fruit, raspberries and slightly tart wild strawberries, before a metallic, earthy pepperiness emerges to provide balance. The palate dips the strawberries in milk chocolate, while tannins and acid walk in lockstep toward a finish that recalls the nose’s pepper.”

90 points

2019 Luke Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Wilfred Wong, Wilfred Wong, June 2023

“The 2019 Luke Cabernet Sauvignon is tight-knit and persistent on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of mineral notes, savory spices, and blackberries. Try it with a grilled, well-marbled ribeye.”

#80 Top 100

2020 Isole e Olena 'Cepparello' Toscana IGT

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“96 points
Expressive and sumptuous from the get-go, this red features cherry, strawberry, rose, orange peel, mineral and Tuscan herb aromas and flavors. Sangiovese. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,800 cases made, 800 cases imported.”

91 points

2019 Isole e Olena Syrah Toscana IGT

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“Smooth and laced with blackberry, plum and bacon flavors, this red is well-wrought, with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Gains roundness and a drink me now feel from the fleshy texture. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2030. 50 cases imported.”

90 points

2021 Isole e Olena Chardonnay Toscana IGT

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, October 2023

“The Isole e Olena 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata has a very citrusy side with grapefruit and preserved lemon. Those fresh aromas cede to hints of cinnamon and saffron, but the overall style is reductive in character. This is a medium-bodied white wine that delivers nice richness and salty mineral tones on the close. You get a lot of character with this Tuscan Chardonnay. However, the wine needs time to take on more weight and texture.Verging on creamy, this white features floral, peach, apple and baking spice aromas and flavors. Crisp, persisting on the finish with intensity and length. Drink now through 2027. 200 cases imported.”

94 points

2021 Isole e Olena Chardonnay Toscana IGT

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, May 2023

“The Isole e Olena 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata has a very citrusy side with grapefruit and preserved lemon. Those fresh aromas cede to hints of cinnamon and saffron, but the overall style is reductive in character. This is a medium-bodied white wine that delivers nice richness and salty mineral tones on the close. You get a lot of character with this Tuscan Chardonnay. However, the wine needs time to take on more weight and texture.”

94 points

2014 Piper-Heidsieck Vintage Brut

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

“A perfectly mature Champagne, this is just ready to drink. Fresh fruits contrast with the mature toastiness. The blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay gives texture plus minerality in harmony. Drink this fine wine now”

91 points

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut

Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, November 2023

“A firm Champagne, with a fine, lively mousse, showing a waft of smoke that winds through flavors of toasted brioche, blackberry, grapefruit pith and almond skin. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged 2022. Drink now.”

92+ points

Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut

Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck, November 2023

“Based on the 2018 vintage and Emelien's first vintage as the chef de cave, the NV Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut is 44% Pinot Noir, 34% Meunier, and the rest Chardonnay, with 27% reserve wine. It’s aged for four years prior to release with 4 grams per liter dosage. A brilliant pale yellow hue, the NV Champagne Essentiel Extra Brut is fresh and inviting, with a rounded and floral profile, offering pure notes of orange blossoms, fresh brioche, and fresh peach, It reveals a pure, ripe character on the palate, with a rounded mouthfeel, a pillowy mousse, balanced notes of grapefruit citrus, and a touch of warmth from the vintage. A very attractive wine, it will certainly have the potential to age over the coming 10 years”

93 points

2021 Donnafugata Ben Ryé

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, December 2023

“This wine is light copper in both color and aroma, as yellow peaches and dried apricots play with varied orange notes on the nose. On the palate, the stone fruit and citrus continue glowing, before a warm, honeyed, almost syrupy finish that recalls a beeswax candle.”

92 points

2020 Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, January 2023

“This vivid red delivers telltale Sangiovese notes of iron, sanguine and tobacco that seep into a core of cherry and raspberry. Turns sleeker and more focused on the finish, where the fruit, mineral and savory elements converge.”